Durandal specifically reminded a few of the Children to eat well during this period so that the situation of malnutrition would not happen again.
At the same time, she secretly gave them some bags containing ingredients, with a small portion of beast meat and vegetables inside. These would certainly not be enough for their long-term sustenance, but if they ate sparingly, they wouldn't have to worry about food for a short time.
She could only help this much; anything more was beyond her means. She didn't want to get too involved; if it weren't for their family's dire situation, she wouldn't have offered assistance.
The Children left joyfully with their food. Watching them go, Durandal felt a pang of discomfort in her heart.
She didn't care if this nation was gradually heading towards destruction, but the Children were innocent. She didn't want these Children, who were similar to Klee, to suffer so much. She hoped they could grow up as happily as Klee.
"Are you alright, Durandal?" Paimon asked with concern.
"I'm fine. You helped those merchants in Ritou today. Did you find anything out?"
Durandal didn't want to discuss her own problems too much, so she actively chose to change the subject and ask about their day's experiences.
As soon as the events of the day were brought up, Paimon got furious and told Durandal everything they had seen.
"Those Tenryou Commission people are just too much! It's so infuriating, so infuriating!"
"Foreigners living here are like this. Because of the sakoku decree, they can't seek help from their own countries. To survive here, they can only accept such treatment."
Those soldiers dared to act that way because of the higher-ups' attitude towards foreigners. They knew that even if their superiors discovered what they had done, at most, it would just be a verbal reprimand or a partial confiscation of their illicit gains, and nothing else would happen.
Lumine fell into contemplation. If all the residents of Ritou were foreigners, what about other areas? What was the situation like for the native Inazumans living elsewhere?
She couldn't help but recall what Durandal had said at noon: this nation was heading towards destruction.
"These things don't concern us too much. After you finished dealing with the merchant guild's affairs today, did Thoma say anything to you?"
Durandal was more concerned about the person named Thoma now. His approach to her group was clearly a test or an observation.
This merchant guild incident was probably a test he set to see how Lumine would handle the situation.
"Hmm~ Thoma said that after they learned we were coming to Inazuma, they were eager to see if we could, as rumored, possess the ability to change the tide of events."
Paimon repeated Thoma's exact words. Hearing this, Durandal understood that Thoma hoped to gain their strength to change the current situation in Inazuma.
So, as the leader among them, what was Lumine's attitude?
"I didn't agree to him; I refused his invitation."
Lumine had only come this time to meet the Raiden Shogun. She had no intention of getting involved in the affairs of this nation.
Hmm~ It made sense. Before, in Mondstadt, it was because as an honorary knight, she had a duty to help the Knights of Favonius deal with Dvalin... although all of that was arranged between Venti and Dvalin.
In Liyue, it was due to Ningguang's commission; she offered so much that Lumine really couldn't refuse.
But in Inazuma, there was none of that. Even though the Miss Kamisato of the Shuumatsuban, as Thoma described, sounded like a very beautiful person, she wouldn't agree to help just because the other party was a beautiful Damselette.
"Then did he refuse to introduce you to the Raiden Shogun?"
"No, he gave us an invitation letter. When we go to Narukami Island, we're to go to a place called Komore Teahouse at the address given on it to discuss further matters."
Lumine took out an invitation letter from her person. It was a very ordinary item, probably some kind of token needed to enter the Komore Teahouse.
However, Durandal glanced at it and said, "Foreigners cannot leave Ritou. That person should know this, right?"
"Yes, he definitely knows. According to the Traveler, this should also be Thoma's test."
Before coming to find Durandal, they had discussed with the guards leaving Ritou. The guards clearly stated that unless they had a "Pass," they couldn't leave Ritou.
At that moment, Shenhe showed a very dangerous look in her eyes. She looked around and confirmed that besides this guard, there was no one else. If she secretly knocked him out, no one would know about their departure.
Understanding Shenhe's simple and direct nature, Lumine quickly stopped Shenhe and only managed to drag her here with great difficulty.
"In that case, let's rest here in Ritou for one night, and then figure out how to leave tomorrow. You must be tired, aren't you?"
Having traveled by boat all morning and worked all afternoon, they were somewhat fatigued.
They had just arrived in Ritou and were not in a hurry to meet the Raiden Shogun. They would rest here for a day and then think about leaving Ritou tomorrow.
At night, at the Tenryou Commission's main camp, Kamisato Ayato arrived to visit Hiiragi Shinsuke at the time indicated on the invitation letter.
Kamisato Ayato still had some reservations about Hiiragi Shinsuke. Hiiragi Shinsuke was also well aware of the other party's attitude and understood that the most important thing in this conversation was to gain his trust before anything else could be done.
For the safety of this conversation, Hiiragi Shinsuke sent all the guards away and spoke with Kamisato Ayato alone.
He cautiously expressed his thoughts, telling Kamisato Ayato that the Tenryou Commission could cooperate with the Shuumatsuban.
Kamisato Ayato immediately understood Hiiragi Shinsuke's meaning and was about to discuss it in detail when a guard rushed in.
"My Lord, The Lady of the Fatui wishes to see you."
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